Grace Church of Martha's Vineyard
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​First Sunday after the Epiphany
Hybrid Eucharist
Grace Episcopal Church, Martha’s Vineyard
 
January 9, 2022
10:00 am


THE HOLY EUCHARIST:  RITE TWO, PRAYER C
 
All music printed by permission in accordance with ONE LICENSE, License #A-734784.   Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with License #A-734784.
All rights reserved.
​
Welcome

Throughout the service, the people joining via zoom remain muted, but join in the responses in
 bold in the bulletin.
Picture

Celebrant       Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.       
People            And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever, Amen.
 
Celebrant
 
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid:  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
All say
 
Glory to God in the highest,
    and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
    we worship you, we give you thanks,
    we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
    have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
    receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,
    Jesus Christ,
    with the Holy Spirit,
    in the glory of God the Father. Amen

 
Celebrant        God be with you.
People             And also with you.
Celebrant        Let us pray.
 
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Lessons

The First Reading:  Isaiah 60:1-6, read by Bernadine Prygrosky


Arise, shine; for your light has come,
       and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
       and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
       and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
       and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
       they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
       and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
       your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
       the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
       the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
       all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
       and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
 
The Word of the Lord

People             Thanks be to God.

​Psalm 72:1-7,10-14, read by Ann Palches

Give the King your justice, O God, *
       and your righteousness to the King's Son;
That he may rule your people righteously *
      and the poor with justice;
That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
      and the little hills bring righteousness.
He shall defend the needy among the people; *
       he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
       from one generation to another.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
       like showers that water the earth.
In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
       there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
       and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
All kings shall bow down before him, *
       and all the nations do him service.
For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
       and the oppressed who has no helper.
He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
       he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
       and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

The Second Reading:  Ephesians 3:1-12, read by John Hickey 

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
 
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
 
The Word of the Lord.

People             Thanks be to God.

Picture

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (2:1-12)

People    Glory to you, Lord Christ
 
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
                `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
                    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
               for from you shall come a ruler
                    who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Gospel of the Lord.

People    Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily                                  The Rev. Stephen Harding

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father.
    Through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven:
    by the power of the Holy Spirit
        he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
        and was made man.
    For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
        he suffered death and was buried.
        On the third day he rose again
            in accordance with the Scriptures;
        he ascended into heaven
            and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

 He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
        and his kingdom will have no end.

 
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
    With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
    He has spoken through the Prophets.
    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
    We look for the resurrection of the dead,
        and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, we pray for all Christian people; for our Bishops Alan and Gayle, for all Religious leaders, and for those who are faithful. May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts, and knit us together in the bond of your love.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for the leaders of the nations, and for those in authority under them … Give them the gift of your wisdom, and a right discernment in all things.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for our Island; for those who live and work here, and for those who visit this place … Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those who do not believe, and yet who long to know you, the very Word of life … Open their ears to hear your voice, and open their hearts to the knowledge of your love in Christ.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those bowed down with grief, fear or sickness, especially … May your living Word bring comfort and healing to all those in need.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We give thanks for all those who have died in the faith of Christ and those whose faith is known to you alone and we rejoice with all your saints, trusting in the promise of your word fulfilled.
Lord of life,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever.
Amen.
​

Downloaded and adapted  1/5/22 from http://justus.anglican.org/~ss/commonworship/newpatterns/texts/sectionf.html
​

Confession of Sin
 
Celebrant
 
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
 
Celebrant and people
 
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

 
Celebrant     Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen

The Peace

Celebrant       The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People             And also with you.
Announcements

Offertory Hymn:   
​Brightest and Best, sung by the Choir

Words by Reginald Heber
Arranged by Philip R. Dietterich
1 Hail the blest morn!  See the great Mediator
Down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger;
Lo, for a guard the bright angels attend.
 
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
 
2 Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining;
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore him in slumber reclining,
maker and monarch and Savior of all.
 
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
3 Shall we yield him in costly devotion
odors od Edom and offerings divine, 
gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?
 
4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
 
5 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Celebrant                                All things come of thee O Lord.
Celebrant and People            And of thine own have we given thee.

The Holy Communion
 
Eucharistic Prayer C

In this prayer, the lines in italics are spoken by the People.

Celebrant            The Lord be with you.
People                  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
By your will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
    Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    Hosanna in the highest
.

The Celebrant continues

And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

Lord God of our ancestors:  God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob, Leah and Rachel. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
​

Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship,
from generation to generation. AMEN..
​
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,

Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father in heaven,
     hallowed be your Name
     your kingdom come,
     your will be done,
          on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
     as we forgive those
          who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
     and deliver us from evil.
For kingdom, the power,
     and the glory are yours,
     now and for ever. Amen.
 
Celebrant            Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People                 Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

People who are online
 
In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Your church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer You praise and thanksgiving.  We present to you our souls and bodies with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you.  And since we can not now receive you sacramentally, we beseech you to come spiritually into our hearts. We unite ourselves to you, and embrace you with all the affections of our souls. Let nothing ever separate you from us. May we live and die in your love. Amen.

Online leader
 
Let us spend a few moments reflecting on the fact that God so loved each one of us that God sent God’s Only-Begotten Son into the world for all of us.
 
[Silence is kept]
Picture

Postcommunion Prayer
 
Let us pray.
 
Celebrant and People
 
Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
 
Blessing
 
Dismissal
 
Leader             Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit.
People             Thanks be to God.

Picture
 
Sunday Prayers
 
Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Alan and Gayle, our Bishops
Stephen, Storm, and Sharon, our Priests
The Very Reverend Amy McCreath & the Cathedral Congregation of St. Paul
The Manna Community
The Cape & Islands Deanery
 
Joe, our President, Kamala, our Vice President
The Members of Congress; Charlie our Governor, and our elected officials
Pray for Our Country
 
The people of Afghanistan
The people of Haiti
All Refugees
 
For our planet
All those affected by climate change

The Campers, Counselors, and Staff of Camp Jabberwocky
The People of Pine Ridge


Bob & Lydia
Carl
Carl McGary
Connie & her family
Christine & Richard
Danny
Deanna
Deborah & her family
Gary
Gerry
Inez
Janice
Jeff
Kate
The Landry family
Lester & Betsy
Lorraine & Richard
Louise
Margaret & Michael
Mike & Sarah
Deborah, Chris, Gunnar; Bill & Marcia; Valerie and all their family
Pat
Paul
Phyllis
The Puetthoff family
Ralph
Ryan
Sandra
The Scotten family
Shauna White Smith
Suzanne Goldstein
Tara
Wayman
William
Yolanda & her family
 
All Staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

Our Vineyard EMS, Fire, and Police Departments
All the Members of the New York City Fire Department
 
We pray for all those who are sick with Covid-19; all those who are dying from it; all who have survived it; those who have died from it; their families; and all who are
caring for them;  All those involved in the vaccination effort 
Those working to address racial injustice
 
Those who have died: Jane, Rebecca, Patricia
All those killed because of oppression, gun violence, hatred or
the color of their skin

GRACE CHURCH
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
(508) 693-0332
                                                      Ministers                                      All Baptized Parishioners
                                                      Rector                                           The Rev. Stephen Harding
                                                      Priest Associates                        The Rev. Sharon Eckhardt
                                                                                                            The Rev. Dr. Storm Swain
                                                      Senior Warden                           DiAnn Ray
                                                      Junior Warden                            Lorraine Clark
                                                     Treasurer                                     Bernadine Prygrosky
                                                     Assistant Treasurer                    Ann Palches
                                                     Clerk                                              Deborah Medders
                                                     Parish Administrator                  Maureen O’Malley
                                                     Director of Music                        Wes Nagy
                                                     Sexton                                           Christopher Berry
                                                     Cellist                                             Jan Hyer
 
                                                                                   Vestry
                        Glenn Alberich, Jon Bates, Jennifer Haynes, Karen Huff, Peter Landry, Joan Merry
​                                                    Alternates: Fala Freeman, and Leigh Ann Yuen
ASSISTING IN OUR WORSHIP
 
Rector:  The Rev. Stephen Harding
Master of Ceremony: The Rev. Dr. Storm Swain
Parish Administrator: Maureen O’Malley
Videographer & Curator: Karen Huff
Music Director:  Wesley Nagy
Organist & Guest Choir Director:  Phil Dietterich
Cellist: Jan Hyer
Acolyte:  Hannah Haynes
Intercessor:  DiAnn Ray
Readers: John Hickey,  Ann Palches, Bernadine Prygrosky
Singers: Abby Bates, Sharon Eckhardt, Rev. Stephen Harding, Jim Norton, Ann Palches
Ushers:  Lorraine Clark, Bernadine Prygrosky
 
 
P O Box 1197, Corner of Woodlawn Ave. and William Street, Vineyard Haven, MA
www.graceepiscopalmv.org   (508) 693-0332
  • WELCOME
    • Contact Us
  • Leadership
  • Annual Report 2023
  • Online Sunday Services at Grace
    • The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany February 5, 2023
    • Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany January 29, 2023
    • Sung Compline
    • Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 22, 2023
    • The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 15, 2023
  • Church and Faith
    • Our Three-Year Plan
    • Weddings
    • Mission of Grace and Who We Are
    • History of Grace Church
  • Climate Change
  • Photographs
  • Liturgies to Say at Home
    • Spiritual Communion
    • Morning Prayer
    • Daily Devotions
    • Noonday Prayer
    • Evening Prayer
    • Compline for nightly use
    • The Angelus
    • BCP Services
  • Community Suppers and More
    • Community Suppers
    • Summer Lobster Rolls
  • Playground
  • The Tisbury Connection